House of Representatives

VALENCIA STOVALL STANDING REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 74 COVERDELL LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING, Suite 611-C COMMITTEES: P. O. BOX 842 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30334 ELLENWOOD, GEORGIA 30294 (404) 656-0314 EDUCATION (404) 656-0250 (FAX) CODE REVISION EMAIL: valencia.stovall@house.ga.gov INTERSTATE COOPERATION www.GoStovall.com SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT February 1, 2016

At the end of January 2016, my office hosted the inaugural Educate Georgia Summit at the Georgia State Capitol (The People’s House)! This two-day event brought over 300 state officials, educators, parents, students, business and community leaders to discuss the current challenges and future solutions for education in our state. Attendees participated in twelve working group sessions with speakers from the Department of Education, University System of Georgia, and Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and Office of Planning & Budgeting. Attendees also engaged in Lunch and Learn workshops hosted by Georgia Power, American Federation for Children and Center for Civic Innovation Atlanta as well as observed the first House and Senate Education Committee meeting of the 2016 legislative session. We had attendees travel from all corners of the state including an educator from Liberty County (just outside of Savannah) who also facilitated a working group discussion on Teacher Relations. Additionally, we welcomed out of state attendees traveling from Washington D.C., New York, Louisiana, California and Florida. The summit opened with a motivational keynote from Rodney Bullard (Executive Director of the Chick-fil-a Foundation) and concluded with the State of Education Luncheon which featured remarks from House Speaker David Ralston and Governor Nathan Deal highlighted the importance of equipping our students with skills to succeed in the modern era. The luncheon also featured State Superintendent Richard Woods who discussed new updates from the Department of Education and Charmaine Ward from Georgia Pacific brought greetings. Attendees also engaged in the National Education Trends panel discussion moderated by Alisha Thomas Morgan, Superintendent of Ivy Preparatory Academies. It featured Marc Sternberg (K-12 Education Program Director at the Walton Family Foundation), Patricia Levesque (CEO at Foundation for Excellence in Education) and Louis Erste (Associate Superintendent at the Georgia Department of Education). The goal for this summit was to converge all levels of education stakeholders to have a real discussion on our future. By no means were we attempting to solve all of the challenges, but we saw this as an initial step towards productive collaboration. There are many viewpoints on how we progress towards a better education system and I am proud to have led this effort. My office looks forward to expanding this platform to capture more voices and hopefully implement key changes whether through policy or community engagement.

Yours for a better Georgia,

Valencia Stovall

Valencia Stovall State Representative, District 74

E A R L Y C H I L D H O O D

Faci l i tated by At lanta Publ ic Schools educator Cleopatra Warren, the discussion explored ways to assess the adequacy of state curr iculum and instruct ional goals using var ious sources of informat ion.

Swiggum focused on the status of the state wide longi tudinal data system for schools, drawing on the recent updates to the plat form that better assesses the needs of students. Davis discussed the innovat ions in instruct ional technology to dr ive personal ized learning pract ices for a l l students.

Commissioner Jacobs gave an in depth presentation on the state of early childhood education with an increased focus on providing quality services and funding initiatives.

Governor Deal is committed to investing in early education and has done so by adding additional financial resources to Georgia’s Pre-K program and creating an Early Education Subcommittee, under the Education Reform Committee; which is the first time in Georgia’s history that such a subcommittee has been created.

“A KEY POLICY PRIORITY SHOULD BE TO PLAN

FOR THE POSSIBILITIES OF INCORPORATING

PROJECT AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS

AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF CURRICULUM

PLANNING.”

Presenter:Amy JacobsCommissionerGeorgia Department of Early Care and Learning

“ G E O R G I A ’ S A B I L I T Y T O P R O D U C E A C O M P E T E N T W O R K F O R C E I N T H E F U T U R E L I E S I N E A R LY E D U C AT I O N I N V E S T M E N T, S O T H AT G R A D U AT E S C A N C O M P E T E I N A K N O W L E D G E B A S E D E C O N O M Y. ” - W a n d e M e a d o w s , L i t t l e O n e s L e a r n i n g C e n t e r

P E R S O N A L I Z I N G L E A R N I N G & C U R R I C U L U M S Part ic ipant discussions revealed some substant ive and

procedural issues that should be considered when making decis ions which impact teachers direct ly. Taken together, these f indings suggest a role for teachers and school leaders in promot ing school eff icacy in personal iz ing curr iculum and instruct ional programs to meet the needs of d iverse learners.

Presenters:

Bob SwiggumChief Information OfficerGeorgia Department of Education

- Session Attendee

Mike DavisExecutive DirectorGreat Teachers Academy

MILESTONES TESTING & GRADING METRICS

“I WANT TO SEE YOUR BRAIN GROW,” WAS AN EXAMPLE OFFERED BY PRINCIPAL KELLI PETERSON (UTOPIAN ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS), OF HOW TO “TALK DATA TO KIDS.” HER REFERENCE TO THE GROWTH MINDSET OFFERED A DISTINCTIVE, POSITIVE INTERPRETATION OF WHAT TEST SCORES CAN SAY ABOUT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

After a presentation from the Georgia Department of Education and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement on the Georgia Milestones Assessments System and new proposed grading metrics, session attendees were in agreement that the language around testing needed to change and multiple forms of assessment were necessary to capture and support student learning.

Participants emphasized that the correct balance necessary in measuring student progress begins in the classroom and relies upon teachers’ communication of expectations to students and parents.

T E S T I N G A LT E R N AT I V E S

D E S I G N I N G F U N D I N GF O R M U L A S

Some of the alternatives to traditional standardized testing provided by participants included portfolios and competency-based models. Those attending the session were clear on what teachers needed to ensure that classroom practices aligned with standardized testing:

• Employ creativity to teach the standards• Provide timely feedback to students and parents on classroom tests• Require classroom tests reflect standardized tests in rigor, content, and administration

Presenters:

Tony Eithel

Director of Assessment

Georgia Department of Education

Sam Rauschenberg

Deputy Director, Research, Policy & Accountability

Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA)

R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S F R O M E R C

Dr. Andrews opened the session with a presentation on funding formula recommendations from the Governor’s Education Reform Commission.

Some elements of this plan included:

• Introducing categorical grants• Structuring district central office administrative support based on its size• Positioning Teacher Retirement System contributions to support fixed employee cost• Providing grants to charter systems• Increasing teacher pay and offering compensation based on needs of districts

Following the presentation, attendees formulated responses to questions posed by the summit steering committee. Key takeaways include:

1. Provide resources to support better training for teachers2. Introduce new community partnerships with local small businesses 3. Provide additional funding for non-profits to increase work at local schools4. Conduct inventory usage evaluations before districts are provided with additional funds

AT T E N D E E R E S P O N S E S

Presenter:Dr. Susan AndrewsExecutive DirectorGovernor’s Office of Planning & Budgeting

T E A C H E R R E L AT I O N S

Presenters highl ighted the meaning of col lege ready, career ready and noted that the two are combined as Col lege and Career Ready to provide opportuni ty through educat ion to be prepared to enter the workforce and be a meaningful contr ibutor in the community and within society.

The Teacher Relations and Retention session was facilitated by Brandi Brown, an educator from Liberty County (just outside Savannah). The session included a discussion about several matters within the teaching profession such as the Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES), teacher retention, and teacher morale. A number of participants expressed concerns regarding TKES. Saxon shared that it currently evaluates teachers on ten standards and is a shorter version of Class Keys, which evaluated teachers on twenty-one standards.

Some participants who were educators shared that they were not being evaluated in a timely manner that would help improve student achievement. Saxon encouraged them to notify the principal or district superintendent.

“WE HAD A GREAT GROUP OF

DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS. THE

GROUP WAS NOT SO LARGE THAT

WE WERE UNABLE TO CONVENE

A DISCUSSION RATHER THAN A

LECTURE.”

“ I ’ M W O N D E R I N G H O W I C A N H A V E S O M E K I N D O F I M P A C T B E T W E E N S C H O O L S , S T U D E N T S , T E A C H E R S A N D T H E L E G I S L AT U R E ? W H AT C A N I D O T O H A V E A N I M P A C T , K N O W I N G W H AT T H E S T U D E N T S A N D T H E S C H O O L S N E E D ? ” - S e s s i o n A t t e n d e e

C O L L E G E & C A R E E R R E A D I N E S S

Part ic ipants expressed a great deal of interest in Move On When Ready and scholarship effor ts wi th in the state, such as REACH. Representat ives f rom the Technical Col lege System, Uni ted Negro Col lege Fund (UNCF) and Achieve At lanta were there and expressed interest in col lege complet ion rates and the need to create greater access for students of low-income backgrounds.

Presenters:

Tricia Chastain // President

Georgia Student Finance Commission

Marjie Dickey // Executive Director

REACH Georgia

- Brad Bryant, Facilitator

In response to teacher retention, Saxon notified participants that reports showed that many teachers are leaving for various personal reasons but some are reentering the field. Furthermore, Saxon ensured participants that the state has adopted several measures to ensure that students have high-quality teachers. She further expressed that schools and systems must be creative when it comes to recruiting teachers as well as building

Presenter:Cindy SaxonAssociate Superintendent of Teacher & Leader EffectivenessGeorgia Department of Education

Brad Bryant // Vice President, REACH Georgia

Georgia Student Finance Commission

- Brad Bryant, Facilitator

EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS vs. NEW FLEXIBILITY MODELS

Erste presented on the different types of school district systems, including charter systems that allow traditional public schools to have waivers similar to local/state approved charter schools. Lewis presented on the difference between local and state approved charters. Together, they discussed how charters are a viable option for helping failing schools.

Following the presentation, attendees saw the need for increased flexibility at the local level for all schools to respond to the urgent needs of students and their communities. Key takeaways include:

1. Educate parents and community members on the different types of charters there are and the outcomes of approaches used to drive student achievement through increased waivers and flexibility

2. Host collaborative brainstorming sessions featuring local and state-level stakeholders that include voices of parents and teachers as well to help shape school efforts

3. Create an advisory board including representatives from high performing schools

4. Empower local systems with new tools to think outside the box and drive quick adopters of innovation

Presenters:

This session opened with University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby who offered an overview of key progress from his office then transitioned into a panel discussion on innovations taking place at various institutions. There was also a vibrant open discussion with Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Fran Millar and attendees who discussed a wide range of policy initiatives.

• University System of Georgia is focused on increasing dual enrollment opportunities, particularly through assigned coordinators for every high school across the state.

• Technical College System is assisting with encouraging Move on When Ready which is a dual enrollment program for students to attend a postsecondary institution full-time during their junior and/or senior year of high school and receive high school credit and college credit simultaneously while attending college classes on campus full-time.

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET RESOURCES IN THE HANDS OF PARENTS AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR OPTIONS ARE WHICH WILL ALLOW THEM TO BECOME MORE ENGAGED.”

- Session Attendee

• Georgia State University’s tracking system now ensures that students are selecting graduation appropriate classes and remain on track towards meeting graduation requirements (no excess or filler classes). Additionally, students not meeting post-secondary readiness, require mandatory summer classes with mandatory tutoring/ mentoring - not remediation classes.

• Georgia Tech’s Georgia Intern Fellowship for Teachers (GIFT) provides teacher research and professional development over the summer in STEM.

I N N O VAT I O N I N H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N

EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSION

Dr. Tim Hynes, President Clayton State University

Dr. Houston Davis, Vice ChancellorUniversity System of Georgia

Dr. Lizanne DeStefano, Executive DirectorGeorgia Tech Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing

Dr. Tim Renick, Vice Provost Georgia State University

Mark Peevy, Executive DirectorTechnical College System of Georgia

Andrew LewisExecutive Vice PresidentGeorgia Charter Schools Associationn

Louis ErsteAssociate Superintendent for Policy, Charter Schools,District Flexibility, and Governmental AffairsGeorgia Department of Education

“ F A I L I N G S C H O O L D O E S N ’ T M E A N O R E Q U A L F A I L I N G S T U D E N T S , B U T T H AT O U R C U R R E N T S Y S T E M I S F A I L I N G O U R S T U D E N T S . ” - P a n e l i s t s

The session started with a pitch from BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) for parents and families to connect their children with summer learning opportunities in an attempt to prevent the “summer slide” and summer

P A R E N T , F A M I L Y & C O M M U N I T Y E N G A G E M E N T

EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSION

Roberta Shields, PresidentThe Ludacris Foundation

Rich Thompson, PresidentGeorgia PTO

Brian Pauling, President100 Black Men of America

Craig Geers, Division DirectorParent EngagementGeorgia Department of Education

Pauling discussed the importance of using chess and strategies learned from mentorship to help students “think three steps ahead” and be strategic when making choices.and maintaining teacher morale.

Thompson encouraged parents to think outside the box and be innovative in supporting schools and students. He discussed options for parents to serve as mentors to others, give presentations to support a college and career culture, and get involved in after school activities. “Remember you have a voice” he told the audience.

Geers, shared a parent/student conference process that is being implemented across many schools in Georgia. He also discussed new resources currently being developed by the state to drive family engagement in schools.nd maintaining teacher morale.Participants discussed the fear of some parents who may feel the educational system failed them and don’t know how to support their child or align with the school. Participants left questioning:

• How can parents be provided with training and curriculum support?

• How can support be provided for young parents who may still be in school?

Shields discussed the importance of “using the 3 Cs to support children” she said “Cheer, Correct, & Coach” and gave examples of each. She spoke of ways her foundation can support turnaround and low-income schools. She reminded us to be a part of the solution.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIESAWARENESS

Dr. Regain opened the session with a presentation on special education services provided by the office of Special Education and Supports and also included an open discussion with attendees. Key takeaways include:

Presenter:Dr. Debbie Regain // Special Education Support Services

Georgia Department of Education

“FOLLOWING AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN (IEP) MEETING, FOR A PARENT TO LEAVE WITH MISUNDERSTANDING OR MISINFORMATION IS UNFORGIVABLE.” - Session Attendee

O P P O R T U N I T Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

1. Ensure teachers are well informed of services provided by the state to help support classroom instruction 2. Provide support to ensure parents receive adequate data on student 3. Build more inclusive classes for students with developmental disabilities4. Work through parental resistance to having students with disabilities in integrated classes5. Train all teachers in special education instruction and practices6. Develop solutions for student resistance with assistive technology

Presenter:Martha Ann ToddExecutive DirectorGovernor’s Office of Student Achievement

The session opened with a presentation from Todd who provided key insight into the proposed plan for Opportunity School District, an effort led by Governor Deal to turnaround failing schools across the state. Attendees worked in groups to develop responses for questions developed by the summit steering committee.

- Increase school climate and culture- Provide digital learning opportunities for students- Lower the student-teacher ratio- Incorporate individualized instruction for specific learning styles based on population of students- Increase the pay for pre-school teachers. Putting them on the same pay scale as higher education teachers- Restructure post-secondary and continued education of educators- Remove the underlying fear of employment security for educators- Create wrap-around services for the community- Teacher reform and professional development to be developed in the areas they need to perform best

How would you improve student performance of a chronically failing school?

What are options for accountability for OSD Schools?

- Stronger local school governance elected by community- Universal peer-review by parents, teachers, etc.- OSD leadership and performance should be held according to set criteria as set by other districts

How can stakeholders be encouraged to participate in an OSD school?

- Offer a parent to parent buddy system to increase engagement- Teach support for classroom management: Focus on whole child in ESL learning- Identify who they are: parents, teachers, students, and political leaders